Awhitu - Pollok, Awhitu

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1692 days ago

Got the baking bug in your bubble?

The Team from Auckland Museum

We think you’ll love this New Zealand Hot Cross and Cold Cross Bun recipe from Aunt Daisy's Cookery Book of Approved Recipes, from our collection.

Maud Ruby Basham (30 August 1879 – 14 July 1963), professionally known as Aunt Daisy, was a well-loved New Zealand radio broadcaster. Her … View more
We think you’ll love this New Zealand Hot Cross and Cold Cross Bun recipe from Aunt Daisy's Cookery Book of Approved Recipes, from our collection.

Maud Ruby Basham (30 August 1879 – 14 July 1963), professionally known as Aunt Daisy, was a well-loved New Zealand radio broadcaster. Her 30-minute daily morning show ran from 1933 to 1963. Her role was primarily to promote household products and to boost morale during World War II. Try out this recipe and it might just boost your morale! Best served hot with lashings of butter…

Aunt Daisy’s full recipe and other activities for the Easter Weekend are over at our Auckland Museum at Home Hub!
Visit us online

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1692 days ago

Denture Creations – Smiles by Design

Denture Creations Ltd

Greetings from the Team at Denture Creations. We all find ourselves in this rather unique and challenging situation. “A state of isolation and restricted access instituted as the result of a security matter” Who would have ever guessed that a virus would result in a Lockdown.

This time spent… View more
Greetings from the Team at Denture Creations. We all find ourselves in this rather unique and challenging situation. “A state of isolation and restricted access instituted as the result of a security matter” Who would have ever guessed that a virus would result in a Lockdown.

This time spent in our “Bubbles” has certainly given us time to ponder and reflect on what is truly important to us. We will all arrive at our own conclusions, but one thing that is for sure is the World as we knew it, would have changed…. more than likely for the better!

This time will pass. It won’t be like this forever! Life will return to normality again, and when it does, Denture Creations will once again be bringing you the service and quality that we are known for and that you, our most valued patients have come to expect. We are so grateful for all our loyal clients and the ongoing trust and support you have shown us over these past 8 years.

As we approach Easter, lets love more and be kind to one another.

Wishing you all a happy Easter and look forward to seeing you when our doors open again.
Stay safe. Stay Blessed.
Kindest wishes from the entire Team at Denture Creations (Your Smile Designers)
Find out more

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1693 days ago

Small businesses in your community need a hand!

SOS Business

Hi neighbours! SOS Business was set up to help local businesses in your community. It means you can buy gift cards from your favourite cafés, restaurants and service providers and then redeem them when they re-open after lockdown.

You can play a special part helping small businesses stay … View more
Hi neighbours! SOS Business was set up to help local businesses in your community. It means you can buy gift cards from your favourite cafés, restaurants and service providers and then redeem them when they re-open after lockdown.

You can play a special part helping small businesses stay afloat during this time. Spread the word to your friends and family so that we can help as many local businesses as we can.

Thanks for being a great neighbour by being a lifeline for businesses in your community.

PS - in case you were wondering, due to the success of SOS Café, and the number of other service businesses now on the Platform, the team have rebranded to SOS Business – Save Our Small Business!
Support a local business

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1693 days ago

Look our for others

The Team from Counties Manukau Police

We know some of you are facing threatening and potentially harmful times at home right now. Police will be there for you if you call us.

If you are in immediate danger and can’t call 111, leave your house and get out of harm’s way. Get to a safe distance and then ask a neighbour over a fence, … View more
We know some of you are facing threatening and potentially harmful times at home right now. Police will be there for you if you call us.

If you are in immediate danger and can’t call 111, leave your house and get out of harm’s way. Get to a safe distance and then ask a neighbour over a fence, or a passer-by, to call 111 for you. Your safety comes first.

It’s everybody’s responsibility to speak out and keep each other safe right now. If you think something is not ok with a friend, neighbour, or colleague, it’s okay to call Police on their behalf. The person you’re worried about may not be able to speak up for themselves. You could be saving a life.

For more information or support: www.police.govt.nz...

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1693 days ago

Making the most of your Easter staycation

The Team from Auckland Council

There are plenty of things you and your family can do this Easter weekend, with the majority done from the comfort of your home.

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1693 days ago

Appreciation post

The Team from Counties Manukau Police

Thank you to all our essential service workers working tirelessly to ensure our communities are kept safe.

Issac is 81years old and was observed by a member of the public struggling to walk to the supermarket. A quick interaction with Isaac revealed he was in need of some intervention.

Community … View more
Thank you to all our essential service workers working tirelessly to ensure our communities are kept safe.

Issac is 81years old and was observed by a member of the public struggling to walk to the supermarket. A quick interaction with Isaac revealed he was in need of some intervention.

Community Constable Reuben Boniface ?‍♂️ was able to connect Issac with Age Concern Southland and with their assistance provide a care package of cooked meals and loaves of bread to help him through this time ? #kindnessgoesalongway

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1693 days ago

Are you OK?

The Team from Counties Manukau Police

Your emotional and mental wellbeing is important. It is normal to feel stressed or lonely when self-isolating, but there are some things you can do to feel better.

Even if you are not sick you may be feeling anxious about COVID-19. This is normal.

Reach out to your family and whānau, friends and… View more
Your emotional and mental wellbeing is important. It is normal to feel stressed or lonely when self-isolating, but there are some things you can do to feel better.

Even if you are not sick you may be feeling anxious about COVID-19. This is normal.

Reach out to your family and whānau, friends and workmates. Sharing how we feel and offering support to others is important.

We want to remind you that if you or someone you know is struggling right now, there is free help available.

See below a list of helplines throughout New Zealand ?

Kia Kaha Aotearoa.

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1693 days ago

Auckland architecture wows

Colleen Hawkes Reporter from Homed

Here are some highlights from the shortlist for the Auckland Architecture Awards 2020. We have a particular soft spot for the tiny Point Wells Cricket Club by Pac Studio! And this new build in Remuera, Auckland.

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1696 days ago

Meet Fonzie, the Cockatoo who spent 20 hours upside-down

Todd Niall Reporter from Auckland Stuff

Hi Neighbours, He's famous on Instagram, but Fonzie the Cockatoo has a new claim to fame, after getting such a fright he landed on a powerline, giving his owner a 20-hour ordeal while he hung upside down. Read the happy ending :

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1694 days ago

Looking for inspiration?

Signature Homes

The team at Signature Homes Botany & Manukau wants to keep you entertained while at home with a free digital copy of our latest home design magazine, full of real stories from Kiwi homeowners.

If you’re thinking of building new, or just looking for some inspiration, Signature Style is a … View more
The team at Signature Homes Botany & Manukau wants to keep you entertained while at home with a free digital copy of our latest home design magazine, full of real stories from Kiwi homeowners.

If you’re thinking of building new, or just looking for some inspiration, Signature Style is a must-read! We have a wide range of House & Land Packages and home designs to suit your taste, budget, section and lifestyle.

We look forward to reconnecting with the community very soon, in the meantime please click here to get your free digital copy of our magazine.

Allan & Jennie Moore
Signature Homes Manukau & Botany.
Find out more

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1695 days ago

Join us for lunch and some new ideas

Jo Haywood Reporter from Homed

Hey neighbours, it was great to see so many of you at our live lunch with NZ Home and Garden and NZ Gardener editors Naomi Larkin and Jo McCarroll. Thanks for stopping by :)

If you missed it, you can still drop in for a recap and see if Jo and Naomi answered your questions, here.

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1695 days ago

Largest NZ insurance broker, PIC, is exploiting the dire situation

Robert from Pukekohe

You may wish to know of this exploitation by a firm which is supposed to be respected.
Largest NZ insurance broker, P.I.C, is exploiting and dealing underhandedly with their clients in the dire situation that New Zealanders are in by charging an APR of nearly 25% to pay monthly. This is outrageous… View more
You may wish to know of this exploitation by a firm which is supposed to be respected.
Largest NZ insurance broker, P.I.C, is exploiting and dealing underhandedly with their clients in the dire situation that New Zealanders are in by charging an APR of nearly 25% to pay monthly. This is outrageous and disgusting at a time when we all need to pull together.
My partner’s 25 year old business lost 100% of its income when the lockdown started. Most suppliers helped to try and keep her afloat either by reducing their charges by up to 66% or deferring payment so that she would be in a position to restart when the lockdown ended.
PIC, NZ largest insurance broker, was approached to allow a monthly payment of the insurance premium payable on 15 April 2020. They agreed and quoted an interest rate of 9% - high but not extortionate at this time. No mention was made of the fact that a finance company would be involved. Finance papers were then emailed for a company called Stockade Premium Funding Ltd showing an APR of 24.83% and a flat rate of 9.8%. There is no risk to Stockade Premium Funding Ltd as a Direct Debit has to be signed and if payment stops the insurance is immediately cancelled.
When PIC office in Pukekohe was queried about the interest rate they stated that they had no knowledge of the 25% and that the interest rate was only 9%. When asked to review the position, they stated that the terms to go monthly were non-negotiable.
P.I.C INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED (Company #451964) and the finance company, STOCKADE PREMIUM FUNDING LIMITED (Company #1138701), are majority owned and totally controlled by Michael Geoffrey GARNER, 20 Chisbury Terrace, Shelly Park, Manukau, 2014 , New Zealand

1694 days ago

25 years evolves into Remote Covid learning

New Zealand School of Food & Wine

We were lucky!

Over the weekend of 14/15 March, we celebrated our 25th Anniversary at NZSFW and 10 days later, New Zealand ground to a halt in the Covid19 Lockdown.

And while our day to day life has dramatically changed, looking at all these photos gives me a lot of pleasure and especially to be… View more
We were lucky!

Over the weekend of 14/15 March, we celebrated our 25th Anniversary at NZSFW and 10 days later, New Zealand ground to a halt in the Covid19 Lockdown.

And while our day to day life has dramatically changed, looking at all these photos gives me a lot of pleasure and especially to be able to share in the achievements of our current students and graduates. The highlight has to be the magnificent dinner; an inspired menu created by our gifted chef, Finn Gybel and prepared under his watchful eye by the cookery students.

Fortuitously, the lamb arrived fresh from Pigeon Bay via Harris Meats in North Canterbury and after a number of dramas leaving us worried that it would in time. Finn's dish, where he wrapped the lamb in crepinette, to hold it together while cooking, was certainly a new technique that we had not used in the past.

It was a thrill to have veteran broadcaster, Carol Hirschfeld as MC for the dinner and lend her distinctive and thoughtful commentary to our story. Carol asked me who she could "interview" during the dinner. Victoria Biddick, our first enrolled student from 1995, Oliver Hay and Joelle Thomson all shared their unique perspective on their association with the school.

There is certainly some irony in the fact that as we were celebrating these 25 years, another significant challenge was about to explode. Drawing on my earthquake experience, where we relocated our students to my second business at the Duvauchelle Store and Café, I knew that we had to find a way to keep going.

As the Covid19 crisis escalated, I discussed with our tutors how we could teach the programmes online and with the cookery students cooking in their own kitchens at home. Again, I was fortunate that my son Oliver, computer systems engineer, and recently returned from his super yacht chef sojourn, decided that he wanted to work full-time at NZSFW. Oli then set about finding the best platform for the tutors to stream their classes live and to administer the programmes. We have used Google Classroom and the Hangouts conferencing software to do this and it's working well.

By Friday 20 March, we had amended our cookery timetables to focus on baking, pasta and dishes that were easier to prepare at home. The students then went home with a 5kg bag of flour, 2 kg sugar, 1kg butter, 12 eggs and other ingredients. We trialled the video streaming from NZSFW while we could and then following the lockdown, the tutors now continue from their homes. The logistics are much easier for Franck with his hospitality students!

For the cookery students, the model is they watch the demonstrations at home and later upload photographs of their cooking. It's not ideal, as the tutor cannot taste their food and sometimes the livestream is pixellated or cuts out but it's better that doing nothing. Plus, everyone gets to chat and socialise from the safety of their bubble. And with supermarkets open, we can continue to buy supplies. View Foundation cooking shots here. And Advanced Cooking here.

Stay safe and have fun,
Celia Hay

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1694 days ago

Let's chat about your garden today

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Hello neighbours, our editor Jo McCarroll is hosting another Live Lunch today (with colleague Naomi who edits NZ House & Garden), so jump online between 12.30 and 1pm to join them. You can ask questions in advance, so start firing through your gardening questions and pictures of your garden or … View moreHello neighbours, our editor Jo McCarroll is hosting another Live Lunch today (with colleague Naomi who edits NZ House & Garden), so jump online between 12.30 and 1pm to join them. You can ask questions in advance, so start firing through your gardening questions and pictures of your garden or the projects you've been tackling over lockdown anytime you like!

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